Boehner: No one understands how sequester ends

'We've got to deal with the spending side'

Published: 03/03/2013 at 3:21 PM

(GUARDIAN) — Billions of dollars in sequester-induced budget cuts appear set to stay for the time being, with leading political figures in Washington indicating no early resolution to the impasse, as they eye next year’s congressional elections.

John Boehner, the Republican speaker of the House of Representatives, said on Sunday he saw no path to agreement with the president over the $85bn in automatic cuts, about half to military spending, that kicked in on Friday after the two sides failed to agree a package of budget reductions and tax rises to tackle the deficit.

“I don’t think anyone quite understands how it gets resolved,” he said on NBC’s Meet the Press.